The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the impact of ongoing Israeli military operations in central Gaza, stating that its humanitarian efforts have been severely compromised following direct attacks on its facilities and staff.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday, in which the UN health agency accused Israeli forces of striking a WHO staff residence in Deir al-Balah on Monday, as well as destroying its main medical warehouse in the area.
According to WHO, the assault on the staff residence also resulted in the detention of several individuals sheltering at the facility, including WHO personnel. One staff member reportedly remains in Israeli custody, with WHO demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
“The continued military operations are making it increasingly difficult for WHO and its partners to sustain life-saving health services in Gaza,” the agency stated, adding that the attacks violate international humanitarian principles.
The Israeli military, in its response, confirmed the detention of several individuals in the area, stating they were suspected of involvement in terrorism, adding that most of the detainees had been released after questioning.
Following the raid on Deir al-Balah which marks the first major Israeli ground operation in the city since the start of the conflict,humanitarian agencies say the offensive has displaced tens of thousands of civilians and compounded what they describe as an escalating hunger crisis in Gaza.
Gaza’s health ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported that 33 people, including 12 children, had died from malnutrition in the last 48 hours.
The United Nations echoed the warning, citing a sharp increase in reports of children and adults suffering from severe malnutrition across the territory.
“The last lifelines keeping people alive are collapsing,” the UN warned, calling for immediate protection of humanitarian infrastructure and unimpeded access for aid organizations.
